What is Clomid?

Clomid is a fertility drug prescribed to women that do not produce ova (eggs) to help them get pregnant.  It was approved by the FDA in 1967. Evidence shows Clomid can stay in the mother’s system for the first few weeks of pregnancy, which might put the baby at risk of exposure.

The FDA has classified this drug as a Category X drug.  Category X means the drug is known to cause birth defects.

Infertility drug birth defects:

• Anencephaly (absence of parts of the brain or skull)
• Dandy-Walker malformation (absence of the cerebellar vermis part of the brain)
• Septal heart defects (hole in the heart)
• Muscular ventricular septal defects (incomplete forming of the heart)
• Coarctation of aorta (narrowed aorta)
• Esophageal atresia (closed esophagus)
• Cloacal exstrophy (exposed abdominal organs)
• Craniosynostosis (premature closure of the baby’s head)
• Omphalocele (exposed organs)
• Congenital heart lesions (heart abnormalities)
• Down syndrome
• Club foot
• Congenital gut lesions (intestinal abnormalities)
• Hypospadia (abnormal development of the urethra)
• Microcephaly (abnormally small head)
• Harelip and cleft palate
• Congenital hip (dislocation or instability of the hip)
• Hemangioma (abnormal growth of blood vessels)
• Undescended testicles
• Polydactyly (additional fingers or toes)
• Conjoined twins
• Teratomatous malformation (tumor-like tissue)
• Patent ductus arteriosus (abnormal blood flow due to abnormal blood vessel)
• Amaurosis (vision loss)
• Arteriovenous fistula (abnormal connection between artery and vein)
• Inguinal hernia
• Umbilical hernia
• Syndactyly (fusion of fingers, toes or limbs)
• Pectus excavatum (abnormal growth of the ribs and sternum)
• Myopathy (muscle weakness)
• Dermoid cyst of scalp (tumor)
• Spina bifida occulta (malformed vertebrae in the spine)
• Ichthyosis (skin disorders)
• Persistent lingual frenulum (tissue that finds the tongue to the floor of the mouth)
• Neonatal death
• Fetal death/stillbirth
• Bone changes or abnormal development
• Delayed development
• Dwarfism
• Deafness
• Mental retardation
• Chromosomal disorders
• Renal agenesis (abnormal development of the kidneys)
• Dysgenesis (abnormal development of an organ)

Contact a personal injury attorney

These birth defects have been found in clinical studies were reported at a rate of less than one percent.  These rates are low, but the seriousness of the birth defects is what makes this drug a serious issue.  If you or someone you know took Clomid for infertility and it resulted in birth defects, contact The Carlson Law Firm for an experienced attorney to be by your side. Call the office for a free consultation to see if you have a case.